Unlocking the Mysteries: Silke’s Journey with Tarot Cards
It was the summer of my 21st birthday when I stumbled upon a deck of tarot cards that would change the course of my life forever. Nestled among the shelves of a quaint store it was named “Tarot of a Moon Garden,” and I found myself drawn to a deck adorned with colorful imagery of fairies and mystical creatures. Little did I know, this deck would become my faithful companion for the next 25 years, guiding me through life's twists and turns with uncanny accuracy.
As I embarked on a weekend trip with friends, eager to delve into the world of tarot, I found myself surrounded by enthusiastic mentors eager to share their knowledge. Armed with the Celtic Cross spread and a basic understanding of each card's significance in different positions, I was ready to embark on my first reading.
It was my best friend's sister who eagerly volunteered to be the guinea pig for my maiden tarot reading. As I laid out the cards, the first one to reveal itself was the ominous "Death" card. Instantly, a shiver ran down my spine, but I remembered the cardinal rule of tarot—this card rarely signifies physical death. However, in the context of the reading, it felt eerily prophetic.
Three weeks later, news reached me that my friend's sister had been diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. While not a literal death, it was undeniably a profound upheaval, a metamorphosis of sorts—a testament to the profound accuracy tarot readings can sometimes possess.
But it wasn't until a few years later that I truly grasped the transformative power of tarot. A close friend from college, grappling with lifelong struggles of depression and suicidal thoughts, scoffed at the mere mention of tarot readings. To him, it was nothing more than superstition, a futile attempt to find meaning in randomness.
Undeterred, I convinced him to indulge me in a reading. Throughout the session, he mocked and ridiculed, dismissing every interpretation with derision. Yet, as the cards unveiled a future brimming with potential for spiritual awakening, he laughed it off as sheer nonsense.
Months passed, and I received an unexpected call from him. "I am doing so much better since I found Buddhism," he declared, his voice tinged with newfound serenity. In that moment, I realized the profound impact tarot had on his journey—he had indeed undergone a spiritual awakening, finding solace and purpose in a practice he once dismissed.
Reflecting on these experiences, I've come to understand that tarot is more than just a deck of cards—it's a mirror reflecting the depths of our subconscious, a conduit for introspection and insight. Whether you believe in its mystical properties or view it as mere chance, there's no denying the profound impact tarot can have on our lives.
So, as I continue my journey with tarot, I do so with reverence and gratitude, knowing that with each shuffle of the deck, I embark on a voyage of self-discovery—one card at a time.
Silke Stillwell is a healing practitioner working with Tarot and Past Life Regression at Áureo Clinic.